I did a quick (20min) seabird watch at Ecola State Park on Saturday. The
wind was from the southeast, but it was pleasant and partly cloudy. COMMON
MURRES seem to be congregrating near shore now, but there were very few other
birds around.

Today, I took a trip out to Brownsmead and did a raptor count. The best bird
was a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (a new county bird for me, details to follow) on
Aldrich Point Rd. between Andersen Rd and Davis Bottoms Rd. (OR DeLorme
pg 71 c5). There were plenty of ducks around and 4 GREATER YELLOWLEGS in
the flooded fields. I got to see a Tundra-type PEREGRINE come in on a flock
of KILLDEER from 500 meters. The Killdeer waited until after the falcon made
its pass before flying make the attempt unsuccessful.

I should also note that the pinioned EMPEROR GEESE are now permenantly on the
loose at the Ziak Refuge. Don't be fooled.

Brownsmead raptor count results:
Bald Eagle 31
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Rough-legged Hawk 1
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 1
Northern Harrier 4
Peregrine Falcon 2



--
*********************************
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR *
* mpatters at orednet.org *
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters